Paralympic Games 2012From 9.15am, Channel 4

This may be a transformative moment for the Paralympics. With the astonishing success of the 2012 Olympic Games, there's a vastly heightened interest in these Games, and in London in particular, a desire for the party to continue. Jonathan Edwards and Daraine Mulvihill introduce the opening events, featuring swimming, cycling, judo, archery and cycling – as well as Paralympics GB's opening fixture in women's wheelchair basketball. Followed by the The Last Leg, an alternative review of the day's action hosted by Aussie comedian Adam Hills. Andrew Mueller

Good Cop9pm, BBC1

This new four-part drama comes along flashing its credentials with a croaky theme song by Tricky and a terrifying turn by the ubiquitous Stephen Graham as a local villain. Warren Brown plays the oddly named policeman John Paul Rocksavage, whose already miserable routine takes a dive when his partner is beaten to a pulp by Graham and his gang. He embarks on a revenge spree and, well, these things never run that smoothly, do they? A grim, rain-soaked affair that is well-made, with barely one likable character, though all are watchable. Phelim O'Neill

Britain by Night9pm, ITV1

What the world gets up to when most of us are asleep has long been a source of fascination to film-makers. This film, directed by Bafta-winner Kevin Sim and narrated by Helen Mirren, follows a group of people through the course of a night. It's not so much an observational documentary, more an intimate portrait of individual dramas. Midwife Natalie delivers a baby, helicopter pilots learn to land on a warship and a choirboy struggles with life away from home. Martin Skegg

British Cycling: the Road to Glory8pm, Sky Atlantic

British cycling carried all before it in 2012 with what seemed like consummate ease at times, most notably when Bradley Wiggins took gold at the Olympics after becoming the first Brit to win the Tour de France days earlier. Needless to say, it was a long, hard road, as this series about the runup to both events graphically shows, with its share of broken bones, disappointments and gruelling training. Team Sky boss Dave Brailsford is the true star, as level-headed as he is pathological in his hatred of losing. David Stubbs

Russell Kane: Smokescreens & Castles9pm, BBC3

Russell Kane hasn't always been the ubiquitous-on-BBC3 type that he is today. Here is a look at the 2010 Edinburgh Comedy Festival show that bagged him awards and propelled him into the world of television. He tells the story of growing up in Essex and how his family shaped his life: his nan taught him to swear and his dad had the kind of racist, homophobic outlook that's enough to give any son the urge to perform a flamboyant comedy routine that lovingly mocks his opinions. Hannah Verdier

America's Secret Killers9pm, PBS

As the war in Afghanistan continues, and President Obama makes assurances about phased withdrawal of US troops, the pressure to effect change within a "truncated timeline" is very much on. This film from last year watches as Gen David Petraeus, then commander of all 130,000 Nato forces in the region, drastically increases the amount of so called "kill/capture" counterterrorism missions targeting Taliban personnel. But does the targeted assassination of Taliban bomb-makers, commanders and financiers run the risk of alienating regular Afghan citizens? And does it run the risk of creating new jihadis? Julia Raeside